Marko

Isn't in our house either. Waiting for it to cool is a big enough challenge.

Intrigued. What does the polytunnel do to your wood? Never heard a downside (other than ripping the film when lifting crates.

The easy way to measure % moisture lost; weigh them in... weigh them out

Agreed. Never used a kiln but assumed it would be packed tight to maximise the heat. If you have the room to manoeuvre a pump truck then it would be far quicker esp if you can do two crates at once. We had a set but the electronics gave up fairly quickly (and they cost alot more than those on your link). The 4' x 4' pallet scales didn't last long either but our crane scales keep going on and on despite being out in all weather.

If you have a forklift or telehandler then crane scales may be a bit more versatile for other tasks. I suppose it depends if you would use them for anything else. CRANE SCALE 11023lb/4.4lbs WEIGHING DIGITAL INDUSTRIAL HANGING ELECTRONIC SCALES | eBay

Just found this photo of our hybrid willow patch where we grew on whips to expand the stock so whilst the stools were about 4 or 5 years old the growth is approx 9 months (with the container is in the picture for scale). This patch is to be left for me to see the optimum time to harvest this variety as logs / TR70 fuel. I suspect 5 years but it might be less. I didn't believe all the claims on the web so thought it best to test it out for myself. Of the trees we planted, the ash and hazel is doing OK but the interplanted fields of Syc and Alder are doing spectacularly well.

The best bit was the scandal of manufacturers mpg. Mrs has just got a new petrol Renault Captur which is returning just over half of the claimed 'urban cycle' mpg (on the first 7000 miles anyway). Very annoying. How can you make an informed decision to buy something matched to the task if the information provided is a pack of lies.

Really liking the layout. I can see it being very much appreciated.

If they are being paid you will need EL. The grey area is very much where immediate family members are 'helping' but I would echo what Steve said; if the worst happens then they will need looking after so best to be covered.

Phone message left

I would never charge more than what I think a job is worth and I would never charge less than what I think the job is worth. I certainly wouldn't debate it.

Keep them chained up because I think this will be big.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6eaDjm_DZ7k

The Domestic didn't stack up for us on our house (break even at very best). The house is in effect already heated with wood (but the gas boiler is there just in case) so the RHI proposal was to pump in a good chunk of capital and remove the safety net of the gas boiler in order to slowly get our own capital back. It made no sense at all to us. Commercial was quite different, a similar time to break even but another 13 years of 'incentive' to be had after that. A decent return on capital that is guaranteed.

Received today..... "Get ready for new RHI biomass sustainability rules Dear Non-Domestic RHI stakeholder We sent you an email yesterday which did not include contact details for Germserv who operate the Biomass Suppliers' List on behalf of government. Please accept our apologies for this and find a corrected version with the contact details at the end of the email. As an applicant or current participant on the Non-Domestic Renewable Heat Incentive (RHI) scheme, we want to make you aware of some changes that the government will be introducing to the scheme which will affect your eligibility to receive Non-Domestic RHI payments. What changes are being made to the scheme? The government intends to introduce new sustainability criteria for installations using biomass fuels on the Non-Domestic RHI scheme. From autumn 2015, you must use fuels that meet the sustainability criteria to continue to receive payments. This applies to all existing and new participants – even if you are already receiving Non-Domestic RHI payments, you will need to comply with the criteria when they are introduced. What does this mean for me? You can meet the criteria using the following options (where applicable): 1. The simplest way for you to meet the criteria is to use sustainable fuel bought from suppliers registered on the Biomass Suppliers' List which lists suppliers selling wood fuels that meet the RHI sustainability criteria. It is open to the public now and you can search by postcode to find suppliers in your local area. You should encourage your current supplier to register on the list so you can continue to use them when the new rules are introduced. Please ask the supplier to confirm that the fuel you are purchasing meets the RHI sustainability criteria. 2. If your installation is below 1MW and if you use fuel from your own estate or supply your own waste wood, you should register on the Biomass Suppliers’ List as a ‘self-supplier’ on the Biomass Suppliers’ List website. 3. Alternatively, if you don’t use the Biomass Suppliers’ List, you will have to report quarterly to Ofgem on the sustainability of your fuel. Installations over 1MW will also have to provide an annual independent audit providing details of the fuels used over the last year. You should use up your old fuel stock now and start using sustainable fuels to ensure you continue to receive Non-Domestic RHI payments. Otherwise Ofgem may consider these fuels to be unsustainable and you will no longer receive your Non-Domestic RHI payments when the criteria are introduced in autumn 2015. For more detailed information on the new biomass sustainability requirements, and how to meet them, please read the government’s information leaflet. If you have any questions, please contact the Non-Domestic RHI enquiry team by email or on 0845 200 2122. The Biomass Suppliers' List is not operated by Ofgem - it is operated by Germserv on behalf of government. For any questions on the Biomass Suppliers' List, including how to register or buy fuels, please contact Germserv on 020 7090 7769 or email [email protected] Kind regards Non-Domestic RHI Team"

I presume all those wishing to be listed will have all their bits of paper in a row as I am fairly sure the Environment Agency will not be able to resist paying everyone a visit.

It would have been nice to be able to take advantage of the Early Bird discount but £330+VAT is bit too expensive for me but I'm sure it will be a good event. Costs : Early Bird (until October 31st) £250 + VAT After October 31st £330 + VAT WHA/REA Members £220 + VAT Includes conference documentation, lunch and refreshments. Conference dinner (20th) £47.50 + VAT

A feature about this problem was on 'Farming Today' BBC Radio 4 - Farming Today, Mushrooms, Wheat, Salt Marsh and Chartered Agriculture

We do Alder wood chunks Alder Wood Chunks for smokers and BBQ's - ideal for hot smoking fish, seafood, beef and pork We don't do hazel chunks as a separate selection (we have never yet been asked for it) although we do include hazel in our hardwood mix. All our stock of smoker wood chunks is hand cut to avoid contamination with chainsaw oil as I was told that even a bit of oil can dramatically change the delicate flavour of the smoke. It sounds a reasonable observation to me but I would be very interested in the views of others.

It might be that education of both sellers and buyers is a better way forward. If someone is happy to take soaking wet freshly felled pop / leylandii etc why should they be stopped by regs. As long as they know what they are getting and pay an appropriate price there should be no disappointments. No amount of regs will stop the man down the pub selling and if his customers are happy where is the problem that needs fixing? We put these guides together some years ago (with much help from the Arbtalk community) which tried to articulate the concensus: Firewood Selling Guide - Best practice and standards for firewood suppliers and retailers Buying Firewood: A guide to buying firewood, logs, kindling and how to use a moisture meter

I am really liking this bit of kit seen on https://www.facebook.com/FARMSHOWMagazine/photos/a.10150199200367164.322298.124079847163/10152847520522164/?type=1&theater

It would be a brave move in advance of the much discussed Scottish Land Reform Bill.

The latest contracts have Stobarts are being paid off the meter for heat produced rather than by the load delivered. I think this might be a double edged sword for producers as, in theory, as long as it can turn the meter crap can now be put into the system but obviously the better the quality of the chip the more return Stobarts will get. If the profit Stobarts make per load is now variable (i.e. the higher the quality of the chip will produce a better return on the meter per load delivered for the same transport costs), I wonder how this will pan out for suppliers. Anyone noticed any changes in Stobarts buying policy?

Jon protests to much... I suspect this has only happened since they put a self service till at the end of the Cizzer isle in the Mendip branch.

It looked like a training video for the new, affordable, NHS Lite

Best innovation: Ezee Tree recycled cardboard tree guards Product most likely to buy that I hadn't seen before: MASTER CT 50 P heater Biggest Arbtalk injoke LOL moment: